Explore the 2019 Fairtree Simonsberg Contour route

A handful of riders, along with the trail builder and route designer Meurant Botha, set off to sample sections of 2019’s Fairtree Simonsberg Contour route during the MTB recce ride last Friday.

With blue skies, green vineyards and view for days the stage has been set for what will be yet another breathtaking 2-day event in nature. As has become tradition, the event will start and finish on Delvera Farm and will include the best trails and single track the greater Simonsberg Conservancy has to offer.

Meurant Botha welcomes riders from Fairtree Capital, riders from the BMT Academy, representatives from Jan Kriel School (a beneficiary of the event) and other mountain biking stalwarts.

For the recce ride, the group of riders headed out to the well-known blue route on Delvera Farm. The short, but punchy climb was rewarded with views of the Simonsberg Mountains and surrounding vineyards as well as Cape Town’s own Table Mountain. Even for a social ride, it wasn’t too long before riders dipped into the flowing descent and were chasing each other’s dust clouds.

The MTB two-day event will take place on 2 & 3 Feb 2019 with a 60km and 40km route on offer for both Saturday and Sunday, with the two day’s riding, which forms part of the 2019 ABSA Cape Epic route, taking place on separate trails on the vast network. Do both days, mix it up or do only one day – your choice! Participants can look forward to a big chill area after their ride, with showers, a bike park, bike wash & lube station and a massage service on offer. There will also be a kiddies entertainment area with the option for supporters to join for lunch by buying a food ticket. And yes, great coffee and the best beers will be served on the day.

With roughly 12km of singletrack on Day 1 and 26km of singletrack on Day 2, just shy of 50% of the day’s riding will be on the narrow stuff! Because there is so much singletrack, rider numbers are limited to 550 entries to ensure a premium rider experience. There will be no better time to be out in the Winelands as harvest season will be in full swing so do not delay to get your entries in as they will certainly sell out.

ROUTE PROFILES

Day 1 – Route Description:
Saturday’s route has seen the removal of most of the long gravel sections with more singletrack added to both distances. That said, the day remains consistent with our goal of having an easier day than Day 2.

Various sections of singletrack and the blue route on Delvera with boardwalks offer non-technical alternative to some of the gnarly sections and rock gardens. Those who enjoy more technical riding are welcome to tame the rougher sections on the route. Saturday’s long route will see at least 7km of additional singletrack compared to last year!

As can be seen from the profiles there are many undulations, but the elevations are less severe.

Day 2 – Route Description:
We are not messing too much with what has become a winning formula: more than 25 singletrack sections showcasing the best of the Simonsberg Trail system. Long route riders head up to Never Say Neverending Again section where 2 Spring seasons has settled the trail into what must be the premier trail in the region. This 10km singletrack is one of the longest continuous pieces of trail in the Western Cape and offers unsurpassed views of the Boland and Peninsula. The Fairtree Contour is the only event that uses this trail as part of its route and the fact that numbers are limited, and we reach the trail after 42km of riding, makes it an enjoyable experience for all.

Although the elevation at around 1500 m for the long route is considerable, the climbing is not intense and very manageable. That said, the Long Route is not for inexperienced riders!

Those who opt for the shorter route will do most sections apart from Never Say Neverending Again, and can expect a punchy, singletrack infested morning with lots of smiles!

All entries include a daily breakfast snack with coffee, Zebonkey beer and lunch. Early bird entries close on 31 December 2018. Go to www.fairtreecontour.co.za and for more info, contact Dirtopia at info@fairtreecontour.co.za or the Trail Centre on Delvera at Tel:021 884 4752.